theme and grand scheme

[jporter]

On Oct 8, 2005, at 4:32 AM, Cometman wrote:

> A good story has a) a happy ending b) what Chaucer called "sentens and
> solas" - in my estimation of Pynchon's worldview and storytelling
> talents (manifesting stuff perceivable to me as A and B) developing
> over time, Vineland is his masterpiece.

Vineland is the most subtle prior to M&D. V. is too heavy
handed, narratively speaking, and GR could be a dream. In
Vineland, the characters are the most self-conscious of being
creatures trapped in an artistic creation, created by an artist
of less than infinite wisdom. Something Oedipa was on the
verge of recognizing by story's end. Ironically, the characters
in Vineland are content with that recognition, and freely
share their identity and vitality with numerous well known
mediated characters of tv and screen, with whom they
share narrative space. They are fine with the recognition
that their identities are constructions and negotiable.
("Do I get a piece and a shield,/" to misquote Zoyd)

But the implication is that the same holds for the reader,
including critics, and, I suspect, many are not comfortable
with that notion. They prefer to remain aloof, and, well,
critical. Pynchon doesn't care, and Vineland is a statement
of independence from expectation built up after 18 years
of waiting for his next move after GR.

Or, at least it seems to me,

jody